Monthly Senior ENCORE Newsletter. - a must read - online or in print.
Register for Senior Center Activities and Special Events HERE ("Winter Whimsey" tickets are going fast.)
You may have seen Redmond folks wearing blue Kiwanis shirts and hats around town. Or, seen their name on the Senior Center donation plaque. They don't have a sign on the road but they are here and very active. I was once a member when the Club was founded by retired Redmond Councilmember Pat Vache'.
According to their Board, "the Redmond Kiwanis Club remains committed to serving our local community with a focus on reducing food insecurity, supporting youth programs, and engaging in outreach activities that foster connections within the area."
If you're interested in learning more about them or want to join I recommend you reach out to Nika Kahhna. Her email is: President@redmondKiwanis.org; or visit their website. Membership is $160/year, an application with BIO and informal interview is required and you need a sponsor.
Lots of comments at tonight's Council meeting on the severe cyclone wind storm.
One lady complained that the warming stations closed at 8pm. The community center closed at 8pm. There was no place to go; no plan.
Redmond AM 1650 emergency radio wasn't updated or current. (It's available only in vehicles.)
I'm a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) volunteer and saw no others during my trek outside. I had to wave a woman with her toddler away from a downed power line. She couldn't speak English.
I was shocked to hear from a reader the City discontinued the CERT program. He thought Councilmember Forsythe might know why. Over 35 - 8 week CERT classes were held, now unorganized and unrefreshed. When the next "Big One" comes our neighborhoods we will be unprepared.
NOTES ON PLYMOUTH HOUSING and SILVER CLOUD:
Plymouth Permanent Supportive Housing is expected to open late 2026. Evan Sexton, the Plymouth marketing employee said Plymouth will hold open public office hours at the Together Center the second Wednesday of each month, 11am-2pm. He said they've already had one Advisory Committee meeting.
The county's Silver Cloud permanent housing staff are looking for community volunteers for the 15 residents housed there. 12 staff members work there! Staff leaders give me the go-around when I try to help.
ELECTRIC FIRE ENGINES: Council President Kritzer prided the city about including the e-fire engine equipment on the budget. Redmond is the first city on the west coast to pay for one. It was a race with Bellevue.
CITY ISSUES $100 GIFT CARDS for select citizens participating in a 2-hour workshop on EV infrastructure and EV experiences. The workshop will be held at the Senior & Community Center where charging stations are located.
The Mayor purchased 5 new gas-powered snow plows and gave them names.
-- Bob Yoder, 12/3/24
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| Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration in the new Senior & Community Center |
President John Oftebro of the Redmond Historical Society (RHS) did a fabulous job producing, directing and emceeing the Redmond Historical Society 25th Anniversary Celebration and Social. Over 120 attended. The event was held on Saturday, October 28 at the new Redmond Senior and Community Center. John's an excellent fund-raiser and superlative jack-of-all trades.
Laura-Lee Bennett, the Executive V.P. oversaw the event. RHS Co-founder Miguel Llanos flew up from Los Angeles and gave a 30-minute interactive slide show. John Couch, Redmond's Park & Rec. Director of 30 years dressed-up as Mayor Bill Brown. Chris "Hurricane" Himes, Redmond's first Strong Mayor gave a charming, short speech. Former Mayor Rosemary Ives was on Block Island attending to her family.
Board member Deborah Oftebro assembled lead-members to work the coffee cake and cookie table: Judy Lang, Jo Ann Potter, Deb Akerstrom and a Morelli? My wife Pam and I got to sit with good friends, John Reinke, Gary Smith and Terry Lavender. John Reinke gave the entire audience a holler as he sang along.
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| Redmond Senior & Community Center |
25th Anniversary Celebration & Social
Redmond Senior & Community Center
Open house 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Program begins at 3:45
Suzanne Greathouse, a community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience, has been selected to fill the vacant Position #2 on EvergreenHealth's Board of Commissioners.
KIRKLAND, Wash. - The EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners has selected Suzanne Greathouse to serve in Position #2, representing the Kenmore/Kirkland community and all residents of King County Public Hospital District #2. Greathouse was sworn into the position on Sept. 17 and will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.
Greathouse is a dedicated community professional who brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to support EvergreenHealth's ongoing mission to advance the health of the community.
"We are excited to have Suzanne join the Board, and we look forward to her contributions in supporting the health and well-being of our community," said Board Chair Virgil Snyder. "Like every other commissioner, Suzanne is dedicated to ensuring our community has access to high-quality, safe, compassionate and cost-effective health care."
As the CEO and Co-Founder of REPSVR, a virtual reality skills training platform, Greathouse's diverse experience spans being a business owner, educator/trainer, executive, and consultant. Throughout her career, she has developed and led multicultural and virtual teams and managed complex business environments. She is an expert at applying industry best practices and emerging research to address specific challenges, fostering success, and enhancing performance, motivation, and job satisfaction.
Greathouse's career also includes nearly 20 years at AT&T, where she led efforts in various areas, including construction and engineering, research and development, emergency preparedness/disaster recovery, network security, network operations and IT product development and support. In 2017, after experiencing a family tragedy, Greathouse shifted her focus to serving the community. She has since held roles on the Kenmore City Council, the Northshore Fire District's Board of Commissioners, the City of Kenmore Planning Commission and the Northshore Senior Center Board of Directors.
Currently, Suzanne serves as a Northshore Utility District Commissioner and actively participates in various community organizations, including the Kenmore Heritage Society, Bothell/Kenmore Chamber of Commerce, Kenmore Business Alliance, and the EvergreenHealth Foundation. She is also the founder and president of the Alex Greathouse Foundation, which provides oral cancer support and funding for treatment, research, and other essential needs.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity to join the EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners and look forward to working with fellow members on ensuring access to the hospital system's vital services in Kirkland, Kenmore and throughout the Eastside," said Greathouse.
Posted by Bob Yoder, 9/20/2024
Comments: 1) Public Notice for the interviews of the Commission nominees was poor. Navigation on their website to find this public meeting was close to impossible. Thus, my wife and I (and others) didn't attend. BY
2) Evergreen Board has the worst notice system out of any public board and they don't do well with publishing information. They don't even record their meetings and publish minutes a month after the meetings happen. Anonymous comment 9/21/2024
Applicants who meet eligibility requirements can be awarded up to $1,000 per person, per year to help pay for day passes', monthly passes, punch passes, etc. So far, this program rewarded over $43,000 to ~ 345 recipients 2024.
Eligibility:
This is my edited Letter of gripes written to the Council Ombudsperson..jpg) |
| Council lining up to receive the Salary Commissioners I will report their salaries, stipends and benefits when they are available. |
I know you work hard and I hope the salary commission gives you what you're due, including the stipends and benefit improvements you and HR are giving yourselves.
The city is wealthy from construction income yet you are nickel and diming us with fees: Utility fees, Park fees, Recreation fees, Senior & Community Center fees. Are fees at Perrigo, Meadows, Hartman courts next? Fees are so many and scattered all over the Community/Senior Center that I can't sum them up.
Your action of charging residents and commercial a $15 fee on automatic utility payment looks ridiculous considering our city wealth. After 40 minutes of trouble shooting with utility staff I learned "a Director" acted too soon and now the fee must be reversed "until Council makes a decision on what to do." Should COO Files get involved?
I didn't appreciate CM Stuart calling me out in public after the Hearing on Initiative 2117. Amongst your new procedural rules that limit public participation, you should look at yourselves. Vice President Jessika Foresythe gave a good report on the specifics of the Climate Commitment Act as it relates to city monies.
REDMOND, WA - The new Redmond Senior & Community Center recently earned the first-ever recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council for sourcing wood from climate-resilient forestry. The Council, which manages the LEED certification process, awarded the building an innovation point during the process and lauded Opsis Architecture and Sustainable NW for verifying that wood came from forests managed sustainably.
“We are honored to receive this historic recognition,” said Mayor Angela Birney. “The senior and community center was designed with environmental sustainability in mind, and it is exciting to know all who walk through these doors will be coming into a place that not only cares about them but cares about the building’s impact on our planet.”
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| (l-r) Councilmembers Richard Cole, Hank Margeson and Pat Vache', circa 2010 |
At this week's Council study session many interesting topics were covered - SE Redmond Park, Reservoir Park, and a Community Advisory report on Vision 2050 - but what stood out for me was Councilmember Anderson's brief comment that retired 3-term councilmember Hank Margeson is "a resource" and was open to help/consult with council when needed. He "leans left" and is a good fit.
Margeson chaired the Citizen's Advisory Committee for the new Senior Center. He gave a very impressive summary report to council on the Center (without notes.)
I did a blog search on "Hank Margeson" You might find it interesting. Additional stories can be found at this "Margeson label" search.
-- Yoder, 1/2024
Happy new year!
This month officially marks the halfway point in my term on the Redmond City Council. I’m stopping by your inbox with a quick moment of gratitude for your trust and support.
My first two years on the Council were marked by a steep learning curve, tons of humbling moments, and many opportunities to create excellence in the details. I am so proud to serve in this role and often humbled to be at the table. Thank you for trusting me in this seat.
Three Great Moments on Council 2022-2023
· Winning unanimous adoption of a comprehensive plan amendment to bring a more lively, sustainable, and transit-oriented neighborhood to the town center district
· Co-authoring a successful budget amendment to bring executive staffing for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging
· Flipping pancakes at Derby Days with the fire department’s benevolent fund (twice!)
Coming up this year, Council will finalize a once-in-a-generation comprehensive plan, complete the local roads safety plan, and build the first biennial budget since the conclusion of COVID relief subsidies. There is a lot to do!
New in 2024
· Finalizing building incentives that inform how Overlake’s urban center (my neighborhood!) will play a leading role in meeting our city’s housing, climate, and community goals.
· I’ll chair the caucus for the Sound Cities Association’s delegation to the Growth Management Planning Board, at the Puget Sound Regional Council (yup, that’s SCA at PSRC’s GMPB, for short!)
· You’ll see me at the grand opening of the new Redmond Senior & Community Center, the delivery of the state’s first electric fire engine, boarding the first light rail train from Overlake, and as always… my bi-weekly office hours. Please stop by!
I hope this mid-term note gives you a glimpse of how I’m working with my colleagues to address the real and present needs of the city, while also having a chance to enjoy this great place we call home.
What questions or feedback does this bring up for you? Let me know!
With gratitude,
Melissa
P.S. You might have noticed I don’t do social media. If you are interested in more frequent updates this year, please let me know and I’ll make a point to check-in again soon.
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| Angie Nuevacamina defeated David Carson, 53.67% (5937) to David's 46.07% (5097.) |
The meaning of the butterfly is cultural to current day Mexico and Senegal- where I have heritage from. It signals transformation, hope, and are quite a force when moving together. In the design, my name is in the middle- acting as a bridge and being able to hold multiple perspectives. - Angie Nuevacamiona.
The demographics of Redmond have changed dramatically in the last five or so years (~ 50% brown.) Angie ran on "inclusive," "welcoming," and "equity," and it paid off. She also prioritized affordable housing, safety, a healthy community and transparent government. She rallied the voters with a call for "Nothing about Us without Us." Angie is a member of the LBGTQ community, a queer artist, and small business owner, as a financial services professional. She currently volunteers on the City planning commission.
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David M. Carson, the conservative incumbent of 16 years placed most of his cards on safety: 1) extra police coverage for light rail users, 2) keeping the county accountable for a drug-free homeless facility in Overlake. 3) he flipped flapjacks for the fire fundraiser at every Derby Days. 4) he served on regional emergency coalitions. As Presiding Officer on the Parks Council he advocated for access to Redmond's seven "String of Pearls" park properties. He is a OneRedmond Board member, Foundation member and Kiwanis member. He praised the Police Department "Sniffer" canine in his political statement. All this, and Marymoor Village, the new fire station, Senior Center and other facility improvements weren't enough to win over the voters.
The voters chose values embracing the Redmond's welcoming culture, over a developer/business centric incumbent valuing safety.
-- Bob Yoder, Opinion, 11/25/2023
Find 16 years of articles and opinion on Councilmember David Carson HERE
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| I'm standing next to one of many Commissioner Jeffrey Cashman's political signs. The number he staked was enormous. I endorsed both Jeff and his opponent, Amber Wise. I supported Amber. Mr. Cashman planted his campaign signs heavily throughout Evergreen Public Hospital District No. 2 -- Redmond, Kirkland, Woodinville, Mill Creek, Kenmore, Duval, Sammamish, and parts of Snohomish county. Never has a local candidate spread their political signs so far and wide. If the residents of EvergreenHealth Public Hospital didn't know they lived in a taxing district they certainly do now. Currently, residents and landlords are levied ~ 2% / $1,000 appraised property value. Total Levy Revenue in 2022 was $28,556,467. Do you know how this money is spent? 70% goes towards capital projects, 30% towards programs like referral networks, CHATT, and North Shore Senior Center. The commissioners keep this close to their chest. I learned about the 70% / 30% split at a Board meeting. A full report is forthcoming. Commissioner Cashman defeated PCC meat-cutter Amber Wise, a union worker and mental health advocate, by roughly 58%. -- Bob Yoder, 11/9/2023 I was struck with Covid a few days before the election; this, after 6 vax. It hit me very hard. |
At the top and/or bottom of the hour from 8 - 10 a.m. the following block of helpful and interesting programing is run continuously. I highly recommend tuning in. No commercials! ☝
City Council and Planning Commission meetings are available on RCTV, as well. They are also live streamed on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/CityofRedmond) and YouTube (www.YouTube.com/CityofRedmond).
